4To give up fairness in favour of
breaking the rules is not in harmony with truth.
Who can make clean what is unclean? No one.
5When you point to the day the number
of months is already as good as complete. There is no
exception.

6Consider leaving him alone that he
may be satisfied with his day's wage.

7There exists even hope for a tree that
has been cut down to sprout again, for its shoot not
to be lacking.

8Even if the root grows old in the earth
and the stump dies in dry soil,
9at the scent of water it blossoms and
grows a branch like a young plant.

10But a warrior dies and wastes away--
when an earthling man breathes his last breath just
where does that leave him?

11As water from an ocean is used up
and streams due to drought dry up,
12so a man also lies down and does not
rise up again. Even until the heavens are no more he
will not rise up nor awaken from sleep.

13O that one might cover me in the grave
and conceal me there until your anger turns back that I
might be recalled at a later date.

14If a man dies can he live again? All
the days of my service I will be patient and stay the
course.
15You will call me-- I will sing you
a poem because of my longing.

16During that time my steps may not be
celebrated but I will be protected from sinning.
17My revolt will be sealed up in a bag
and my sin sewn in.

18Otherwise mountain ranges will fall and
rocks will wear out-- as a stone worn by the rushing of
water, as the dust of the earth is washed away so you
wash away the hope of mortal man.
20You overpower continually and keep on
in that way until you send him away from before your
face.

Job 14 1
Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
Job 14 2
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
Job 14 3
And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, And bringest me into judgment with thee?
Job 14 4
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Job 14 5
Seeing his days are determined, The number of his months is with thee, And thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
Job 14 6
Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
Job 14 7
For there is hope of a tree, If it be cut down, that it will sprout again, And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
Job 14 8
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, And the stock thereof die in the ground;
Job 14 9
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, And put forth boughs like a plant.
Job 14 10
But man dieth, and is laid low: Yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
Job 14 11
[As] the waters fail from the sea, And the river wasteth and drieth up;
Job 14 12
So man lieth down and riseth not: Till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, Nor be roused out of their sleep.
Job 14 13
Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, That thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, That thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
Job 14 14
If a man die, shall he live [again]? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release should come.
Job 14 15
Thou wouldest call, and I would answer thee: Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of thy hands.
Job 14 16
But now thou numberest my steps: Dost thou not watch over my sin?
Job 14 17
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity.
Job 14 18
But the mountain falling cometh to nought; And the rock is removed out of its place;
Job 14 19
The waters wear the stones; The overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth: So thou destroyest the hope of man.
Job 14 20
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
Job 14 21
His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; And they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
Job 14 22
But his flesh upon him hath pain, And his soul within him mourneth.